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Knoxville Man Identified as Driver in Accident that Killed Four near Waukee

The Iowa State Patrol has identified the driver of a vehicle involved in a multiple fatality crash that happened Saturday on Interstate 80 near Waukee, as 25-year-old Benjamin E. Beary, of Knoxville.

Beary, Des Moines Police Officer Carlos Puente-Morales, Des Moines Police Officer Susan Farrell, and Tosha Nicole Hyatt, a prisoner being transported by the officers, were killed in the head on collision. According to the State Patrol, Beary was driving the wrong direction on I-80 when he struck the police SUV. Gary Dickey, attorney for the Beary family, released a statement saying their condolences go out to all who lost loved ones in this tragic accident, and they ask for privacy during this painful period of time.

Full Statement:

Today, the family of Benjamin Edward Beary released the following statement after receiving confirmation of his death:

The family of 25-year-old Ben Beary is grieving his death, and we extend our deepest sympathy to the families of the three other people whose precious lives were lost in the horrible crash early Saturday morning on Interstate 80. Our pain at losing Ben, a beloved son and brother, is multiplied by the knowledge that this collision brought so much grief to others.

We know Ben was watching basketball games Friday night with friends. We know he would never intentionally cause this pain. We hope that the police are able to piece together what happened next. But whatever information they find will not diminish the pain we feel at losing Ben at a young age. Nor will it lessen the grief for the families of Susan Farrell, Carlos-Puente-Morales, and Tosha Nicole Hyatt.

Our condolences go out to all who lost loved ones in this tragic accident. May God bless our families in our time of mourning.